Short Fiber Reinforced Composites Market, Demand, Production Capacity, Volume and Price Range

Short Fiber Reinforced Composites

Short fiber reinforced composites are a type of composite material that incorporates short fibers into a matrix material to enhance its mechanical properties. These composites are widely used in various industries due to their improved strength, stiffness, and impact resistance compared to the base matrix material.

In terms of demand by type, the Short Fiber Reinforced Composites market is bifurcated into Polyamide, Polypropylene, and Polybutylene Terephthalate. Polyamide is typically considered the largest type of short-fiber thermoplastic composite. Polyamide composites are widely used in various industries due to their excellent mechanical properties, chemical resistance, and heat resistance. Polyamide composites reinforced with short fibers, such as glass or carbon fibers, offer improved strength, stiffness, and impact resistance compared to unreinforced polyamide. These composites find applications in automotive, aerospace, electrical and electronic, and consumer goods industries.

Short Fiber Reinforced Composites are used in the Transportation, Consumer Products, and Electrical & Electronics industries. Transportation accounts for the largest share owing to its wide usage in parts like bumpers, dashboards, and interior components. In aerospace, they are used in aircraft components like wing structures. In the Consumer Products industry, SFRC is used in sporting goods such as tennis rackets, golf clubs, and bicycle frames and also utilizes short fiber reinforced composites. Owing to their excellent combination of mechanical properties, cost-effectiveness, and processability, make them a popular choice for a wide range of applications.

Asia Pacific is the largest market for Short Fiber Reinforced Composites owing to the strong presence of the Automotive and Consumer Goods industry in the region. China is the largest producer of automobiles globally. The rising industrialization and disposable incomes have led to an increase in vehicle sales which will positively impact the Short Fiber Reinforced Composites market.

Short Fiber Reinforced Composites Suppliers:

• BASF
• DSM Royal
• DowDuPont
• SABIC
• Lanxess

German compounder TechnoCompound has increased the capacity for long and short glass fiber reinforced PP in 2021.

In 2021, Sabic has launched two new PBT short fiber reinforced compounds — LNP Elcrin WF006XXPiQ and LNP Elcrin WF0061XPiQ to reduce the carbon footprints.

In September 2022, SABIC introduced two new short-glass fiber reinforced PP compounds, PP compound G3430X and Sabic PP compound G3440X which offer enhanced performance and processing for the automotive under-hood, exterior and interior applications.

Rising demand from the Transportation Industry

Short fiber reinforced composites are used in the transportation industry due to their excellent mechanical properties, weight reduction potential, and cost-effectiveness. SFRC in the transportation industry provides numerous benefits, including weight reduction, improved fuel efficiency, enhanced safety, and better performance. These composites continue to play a vital role in advancing automotive technologies and meeting the industry's evolving requirements.

The addition of short fibers enhances impact resistance and energy absorption, making bumpers stronger and more effective in protecting the vehicle during collisions. They are employed in various interior parts such as instrument panels, door panels, and seat structures. These composites provide improved strength and stiffness, reducing weight while maintaining structural integrity and ensuring passenger safety.

The rising demand for Electric vehicles will boost the market in the forecast period owing to the rising awareness and the increase in the disposable income of people. Short Fiber Reinforced Composites are used in EVs to reduce the weight of the vehicle while maintaining the structure of the vehicle.

Short Fiber Reinforced Composite are used in body panels, chassis reinforcements, and subframes providing high strength, and stiffness and helping in lowering the weight of the vehicle, which helps in improving fuel efficiency and less carbon emissions. SFRC composites are utilized in engine components such as intake manifolds, valve covers, and cylinder head covers. The se composites are used in fuel system parts, including fuel tanks and filler pipes. The excellent chemical resistance of these composites ensures long-term durability and integrity, mitigating the risk of leaks and fuel system failures.           

The short length of SFRC

Short fibers typically have lengths ranging from a few millimeters to a few centimeters, whereas long fiber composites have fibers that can extend up to several centimeters or even meters. The shorter fiber length limits the load-bearing capability and overall strength of the composite material.

Due to the shorter fiber length, the load transfer efficiency between the fibers is reduced. The fibers may not be able to distribute and transfer stress as effectively as long fibers, leading to lower stiffness and strength properties. The shorter fibers are more prone to misalignment and random orientation within the matrix material, resulting in reduced mechanical performance.